Today, the state House voted 75-30 and the state Senate voted 24-13 to ban smoking in workplaces including bars and restaurants.

According to the following LINK, both Senator Nancy Cassis and Representative Hugh Crawford voted in favor of the ban. While I’ve always supported both of them, I’m a bit disappointed by their support for this bill. Note that I’m not and have never been a smoker.

Have they lost faith in the free market system? Do they not believe that bar owners should have the right to decide how to run their business? Why can’t they leave it up to the folks to decide whether they want to be patrons of such establishments? Have they forgotten that we don’t need big Government to babysit us at every turn?

I for one would certainly love to hear their reasoning behind this vote.

I have to say, I’m sort of puzzled by those folks who have come out against the Novi School’s administration for delaying the viewing of the President’s speech to school children earlier this month.  This includes those who wrote in the Novi News, and those who spoke in front of the Board of Education.  Their arguments don’t hold water.

While I personally did not have a problem with the message that the President delivered (yes, my kids watched it), I respect those who were concerned.  The President and his administration made matters worse by waiting until very late to release the transcript.  The talk of “lesson plans” added more fuel to the fire, making this smell more like indoctrination to these folks.

Let’s face it, presidents are indeed polarizing figures.  Couple that with stunts like this and you simply get more distrust:

Parents are the ULTIMATE decision makers regarding what their children get exposed to.  And their reasons (no matter how distasteful it may be to others) are are exactly that… THEIR REASONS!  Sure, parents can’t control everything, but that doesn’t precluded them from getting involved in those situation where they can.

I’m tired of hearing the question…. “how are children harmed by watching the president’s speech?”   Answer this: “how were children harmed by not watching it live?”  Again, it’s not YOUR BUSINESS to decide what’s best for someone else’s child.

In hindsight, the school administration would have been better served to simply say “we’re delaying the viewing to respect all parties involved,” and leave it at that.

Kudos to Novi Schools for respecting the rights of parents.

The Lions ran their preseason record in the past two seasons to 7-1. Is this record for real? Well the leading passer vs. Buffalo (58%) has practiced with the Lion’s since. . . Tuesday.

The Lions have a new ferocious look to their Logo and the Font of the word “Lions” has been “modernized”. But where is the motivational slogan to rally fans for the 2009 season? The Pistons have “Going to Work”, the Lions one time promoted “Restore the Roar” and who could forget last years “Believe in Now”! (OK, thats a stretch. A lot of Detroit fans forgot “Believe in Now”. I had to look it up.)

For the Lions in 2009 – I propose using a quote from Rockhound, Steve Buscemi’s character in the movie Armaggeddon. In 2009 it’s time for . . . . .

THE 2009 Detroit LIONS-
– - EMBRACE THE HORROR

The Lions enter the 2009 campaign riding a 0-17 regular season streak. Waiting in the wings is a New Orleans team used to putting up 30 a game (Detroit and New Orleans are the only two NFC franchises to never make the Super Bowl). Detroit’s schedule also features both of last years Super Bowl teams, an improved Packer team on Thanksgiving, the tough Baltimore Ravens and 2 road trips to the West Coast (the Lions are 1-7 visiting the Pacific since 2000). Forbes Magazine recently depreciated the Lions value by 6% (only eclipsing the Oakland Raiders who dropped 7%).

Detroit is a cinch to set an NFL record for most losses in decade. The current record is 106 by the 1980-89 Tampa Bay Bucs and the Lions already have 104 (14 – 2 just isn’t in the cards).

At .278 the 2000-09 Lions hold first place in the All-Time race for NFL futility in a decade. They need to go 6-10 to pass the Denver Broncos of the 1960’s (.282 in the old AFL) and escape the historical cellar. The worst orginal NFL franchise decade record belongs to the St. Louis Cardinals who were at .292 for the 1950’s.

“Embrace the Horror” and avoid the customary autumn frustration. Click Play to get Rockhounds’ inspirational dialogue for the Unofficial Lion’s slogan.

With an opening victory in the NFL Exhibition season, the Lions opened the defense of their 2008 pre-season title with 27-26 victory. In 2008 Detroit proved to be the NFL’s “King of Beasts (in August)” with a 4-0 record. Next up in the series are the Cleveland Browns who the Lions beat 26-6 in last years warm up.

One fan created a special tribute in hope that “The Schwartz would be with us” (Spaceballs 1987). With the Lions changing the Bubbles Logo, can a replacement for the Roary mascot be far behind? Perhaps the John Candy character might be a proper fit after August. In Mel Brooks we trust?

To date, only one candidate has committed to run for the two contested school board seats in November.  Current board president Ann Glubzinski is seeking re-election.   Ann has done an excellent job during her tenure, so we’re glad to see she still has the energy to continue on, knowing more tough decisions are ahead.

Also up for re-election is Jeff Neilson… but so far, he has not gone public with his plans.

** Newsflash ** Former school board trustee and former Village Oaks Principal Dave Brown has filed.

Memorial (Decoration) Day. . . .

Memorial Day had its birth during the American Civil War.  With communities experiencing devastating losses, annual prayer meetings and memorials were scheduled to honor the dead.

One of the first U.S. Government initiatives for a nation wide day of Memorial was a proclamation from the Union Army after the war.  GAR General Orders 11 on May 5, 1868 set aside a day for decorating graves on May 30th.  The original Decoration Day focused exclusively on Civil War dead.  The old Confederacy was not about to take such orders.  Most Southern States, under reconstruction, held their separate holidays. (Lousiana and Tennessee chosing June 3rd, Jefferson Davis’ birthday, for example.)

Consensus on the May holiday date was only achieved after the First World War when Memorial Day was expanded to cover all American Wars.    Since then the Holiday has been observed in late May by all.

As you go about the business of the holiday, take the time to just remember those that have sacrificed all for our freedom.   Over 140 years later, you will help fulfill General Orders 11 from 1868. . .

If other eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.   GAR General Orders 11 – May 5, 1868

This Economy has presented some tough choices to all of us. Similarly, it has presented a very tough $3 Million challenge to the Novi School System.

The crux of this issue seems to be the High School Schedule change. The change keeps teachers in the class room 83% instead of 75% of the time. That is an increase in individual Productivity of 10.6%.

Increasing Productivity – That sounds like a way forward in a recession.

Let’s look at the individual student schedule. Under the new plan students are in class for 996 class hours per year with no additional school days. Under the current plan (4 X 4) we are talking 936 class hours. That’s a 6.4% productivity increase.

Increasing Productivity – That sounds like a way forward in a recession.

At the April 20th informational meeting there were a lot of individual statements and few individual questions. The most common question asked was “why now? Why can’t we have a couple years warning? Well I’m sure many of us would have liked a couple years warning for our jobs, mortgages, and investments, but we didn’t get it. Looking forward is what is important now.

The only question is, there’s a $3,000,000 bubble, where does the money come from? The alternatives seem to be to take away things at the elementary school level. In other words reduce the benefits of the schools who historically lead the pack in MEAP scores in the Novi School System. Schools that have historically met AYP progress goals.

Punishing the Productive – That sounds like a dead end in a recession.

Is that the lesson we want to hand to our next generation?

I’ll take a plan that increases productivity while saving dollars anytime.

On Tuesday May 5, we will have an opportunity to make a decision on an investment that will serve Novi for many generations to come.

It’s no secret that recent national studies show parks help attract both businesses and residents to new communities. This Signature Park will assist Novi in its continued effort to diversify the tax base, create economic development and improve the quality of life of its residents.

I respect everyone’s opinion, but I would ask this proposal be judged on its merits not on labels attached to it. If you are opposed to Signature Park merely because it can be labeled a “tax increase,” and those are unpopular now, I think that would be a mistake. It is either good for Novi – or it is not. If it is good for Novi in the long run the fact that it, technically, raises taxes does not magically transform it into something that is bad for Novi. Remember, we’re talking about .5 of a mil. That’s $75 a year for a home valued at $300,000. Let’s put that into perspective. It’s less than $1.50 per week. Surely $75 a year means something different to everyone. I get that. I have five kids, three in college, an aging parent and a mortgage on a house that has lost value just like yours. Not to mention a business that is trying to sustain itself during these trying times. But it’s the features and benefits of what $1.44 per week investment will return in the future that makes this almost a no-brainer.

There is one other very important aspect to the Signature Park; the preservation of 60 acres of open green space. If we are truly stewards of the future of our environment this is an opportunity, in all likelihood the last opportunity, to preserve 60 contiguous acres of green space in Novi. Surely the preservation of this much open green space for future generations is worth $1.44 a week. It’s worth it to me, regardless of what label is slapped on it: Republican, Democrat, Conservative, Liberal, environmentalist or tax raiser. This is good for Novi, that’s all I am concerned about. Please take the time to understand what this asset will bring to the community and
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visit www.novisignaturepark.com. There’s something for everyone in this park, and I hope you’ll join me and vote “yes” on May 5.

Very sad news regarding the death of Mark “the Bird” Fidrych. Looking at how brief his Baseball career was, one can’t fully appreciate Fidrych’s impact. “The Bird” phenom is hard to understand unless you lived through it.

1976 was a rough year in Metro Detroit. The city was still reeling from the first OPEC Oil Embargo (gas was an unbelievable 60-70 cents per gallon). Inflation was heading to 10 percent, the auto industry had faced it’s first “really big layoff”.

Like Detroit the Tigers were retooling. The champions of ‘68 and ‘72 were mostly gone, a few vets were there for DH duties and unproven rookies swelled the roster. The Tigers were headed for the cellar.

Here comes this exuberant, wacky rookie pitcher. He talked to the baseball, he had his own catcher (Bruce Kimm), he groomed the mound on his hands an knees, he went through all kinds of movements on the mound, he looked like “Big Bird” and oh, yes that unbelievable fast ball. Soon fans flocked to see him pitch. . . in Detroit and EVERYWHERE.

Tiger Stadium was near empty unless “the Bird” was throwing. Then you were lucky to get a ticket. On the Road if ‘the Bird’ “skipped” an opposing series, the opponent complained. You see Fidrych sold out on the road as well. Fans wanted “Rain Checks” if the ‘Bird’ didn’t pitch his turn in the rotation.

For an unbelievable summer no one cared about standings, wins and losses. Only one question mattered “Is ‘Bird’ pitching?”. If the answer was “Yes”, everyone forgot their troubles and turned to baseball. The Tigers would win 74 games, 19 of them went to the Rookie Pitcher.

The Career ended way too soon. Now Mark has left us way too soon.

We’ll miss you Mark.